Water And Carbon Cycles Flashcards
(25 cards)
System
Assemblage of interrelated parts that work together by way of some driving force
Input
Point where something is added to the system
Elements
Things that make up a system
Attributes
Characteristics of the elements
Flow/transfer
Link between 1 store and another, along with something moves
System boundary
Edge of system; interface between 1 system and another
Store/component
Part of system where something is held for a period of time
Output
Point where something is removed from the system
Relationships
Description of how various elements work together to carry out some sort of process
Isolated systems
No interaction with anything outside the system
Closed system
Transfer of energy both into and beyond system boundary but not transfer of matter
Open system
Matter and energy can be transferred from system across boundary into surrounding environment
Example of closed system
Sediment cell
Example if open system
Ocean
Example of an isolated system
Universe
Explain how systems work
Balance of inputs and outputs if even, this produces a dynamic equilibrium
Explain feedback in terms of a system
Inputs or outputs suddenly change, then stores are forced to change and equilibrium is upset
Positive feedback
Occurs where effects of an action are increased by changes to inputs/outputs/processes
Negative feedback
Occurs where effects of an action are decreased by changes to inputs/outputs/processes
Earth as a whole can be considered as a
Closed system
Why earth can be considered as a closed system
Energy enters as solar radiation, balanced out by radiant energy lost by earth. Matter is not input or output in space
5 subsystems on Earth
Atmosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere Cryosphere
Explain cascading system example of earth’s subsystems
1 lithosphere- volcanic eruption producing greenhouse gases
2-atmospheres-warmer temps
3-hydrosphere- increased extreme rainfall
3- crysophere- increased ice melt
4/5- biosphere-increased soil erosion
Cascading system
Open system with interlocking relationships
